I use 3031 in my 30.06 and 4064 in the 308.
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I use 3031 in my 30.06 and 4064 in the 308.
First choice...IMR 4895
Second choice...IMR 4064
4064 is my first choice with Varget next . I hand weigh all high power loads so powder measure is of no concern .
Varget is my "go to" powder for plinking.
IMR-4895 and H-4895 are my second choices (don't mix them up...they ARE different and have different burn rates and load data).
H-335 will do all 3 calibers and there is load data for .223, .308 and .30-06 for Varget, H-335, and both of the 4895's. You might get luck and find one powder and a load that works for all.
I was pretty surprised with my results with Varget and .223.
Accurate 2520
IMR-4895
Varget
Reloader 15
IMR-3031
IMR-4064
Reloader 7
This my current powder selection when I want to sit down a load 308. I also keep in mind the barrel length of the rifle I am loading for. This helps me determine the powder to speed I select to ensure I burn as much as possible in the barrel. Any of the ones I mentioned will perform excellent, but for that fine tweaking, I like some choices of burn rates.
If I could ask a question on the side, what are the results and thought process you are going through with the powders you listed. I assume your trying for compleate burn before the bullet exits the barrel. What is the breakdown (of powders you listed) in relation to say, a 20in barrel in 308. Thanks for any info you could give.
To the OP, I use 4064 in a 20in heavy barrel rem 700 in 308, with Seirra MK 168 hpbt and get 1/2 and sub 1/2 MOA groups. But I have not experimented with others yet, like another poster said it is a very course grain and probably would not meter well in a thrower, but I weigh one at a time so it's a wash for me.
I would have to go down to my bench and look at my burn chart to explain the difference in detail.
But I have powders that cover a certain range of burn rates. My idea behind how I charge my bench loads is to load the fastest powder possible with the least amount needed. I am punching paper with these loads, so high FPS is not needed. Well at the range I am shooting anyways.
So I start with the quick powder, and the lowest amount and I begin to load up. I will load 10 rounds per charge weight of that powder and shoot a group for each one. If I am happy with any I use that as my baseline and I will move to a slightly slower powder and repeat. I will do that a few more times with different powders until I have 5 loads that are strong loads all with solid groups. I then take the 5 loads and continue to tweak them with .1 grain adjustments to the charge until I get it as tight as possible and repeat that for the 5 or so loads. I then begin to adjust OAL until I get the load as tight as possible. Once all of that is complete, I am cutting a nice hole. There are a few more steps to this process but this is could start to find a nice load.
Btw one of the rifles I shoot A LOT is my R700 308 20" Bull.
For a 308------- thats easy Varget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4895 is what you want for a Garand, works well in .308. I regularly use 3031 for -06 and it works well for .308 too.
I started out with 4350 close to 30 years ago.
Speer was the first bullets I used and since I was only loading for a pump .06 at -100 yds, tight grouping was never a major concern.
Later, about 20 or 25 years ago I had some time so loaded a variety of bullets and powder charges and ended up with a 57.5 gr charge (still 4350) with a 150gr Nosler ballistic tip and the old Kmart Rem. 760 hits 1" to 1 1/4" groups with occasional 3/4" groups.
I weigh the charges.
Overkill for a pumpgun? probably. It is still putting deer down almost every year.
I use it for 30-30 as well and might use it for 300 Win-Mag too.
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